The Islamic Republic of Iran poses the most serious threat to the United Arab Emirates because of its occupation of three UAE islands, although the two countries have strong commercial ties, according to a recently published study.
"Iran constitutes the greatest threat to the UAE because of its continuous occupation of the islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb since 1971," the study stated, published by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research.
"Iran's intentions and expansionist ambitions and its desire to demonstrate itself as the biggest military and political power in the region are also a source of permanent concern to the UAE and a cause of fear for the other Gulf states," said the study by UAE intellectual and university professor, Abdul Khalek Abdullah.
However, the author added that political tensions have not affected the strong economic, trade and historical relations between the United Arab Emirates and Iran, according to Gulf News.
"The UAE and Iran have more to converge than to diverge...relations between them in various fields, especially in trade, are very cordial if not ideal," he conveyed.
Abdullah emphasized the UAE's overtures to resolve the island matter and proposed intensified diplomacy within the GCC and the Arab world to "make Iran respond to efforts to reach a peaceful settlement". (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
